Swinging closure locking device



Aug. 9, 1949. R FO L R 2,478,816

SWINGING CLOSURE LOCKING DEVICE Filed July 28 1945 v Inventor *1 E937 Fwler Patented Aug. 9, 1949 SWINGING CLOSURE LOCKING DEVICE Roy E. Fowler, Watkinsville, Ga., assignor of onehalf to Gladys H. Johnston, Watkinsville, Ga.

Application July 28, 1945, Serial No. 607,514

The invention relates to a swinging closure locking device, and more especially to an automobile door lock.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character whereby a swinging door can be automatically locked in such manner as to be relatively free of rattle, the device being hydraulically controlled and so dimensioned as not to occupy any greater space in its fitting than any ordinary door lock or the like.

Another object of the invention is the provi" sion of a device of this character precluding the loosening of the door in fastened position as might be occasioned by worn parts of the device, as the hydraulic action thereof compensates for such Wear. a

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is simple in construction, reliable and efiicient-in operation, strong, durable, self locking, readily and conveniently applied in place, adaptable to any swinging door, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the in vention consists in the features of construction, and combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line vl-l of Figure 3 through a locking device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a top view thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a motor vehicle body and its door, certain parts thereof being broken away showing the device applied thereto and in locking position.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the locking device constituting the present invention, comprises an elongated circular body l0, having in opposite ends, fore and aft piston chambers l l and I2, respectively, the former having fitted therein a floating piston l3, which is fitted with a packing cup M at its inner end. The chamber I2 has a reciprocating piston I 5 which is also fitted with a packing cup l6.

The outer end of the piston I3 is formed with a. reduced area I! over which is telescoped a socketed latching head l8, its socket l9 being of a corresponding size to the area I! for slidable 4 Claims. (01. 292-144) interfitting therewith. Between the head l8 and the area 11 is a coiled compression spring 20 which urges the head outwardly. This head [8 is adapted to be accommodated within'the crotch 2! of a rocking keeper 22, pivoted at 22' to a door jamb '23 for a swinging door 24, as best seen in Figure 3 of the drawing. This interfitting of the head It and keeper provides for anti-rattling when the door 24 is locked by the device.

Extending longitudinally within the body H) is a fluid passageway or duct 25 for communication of the chambers H and I2 with each other, so that oil, which is thepreferred hydraulic fluid, within one chamber can pass under pressure to the other of said chambers in the throwing of the head [8 to locked position.

Externally built on the piston is is a spring cage 26 in which works a plunger 21, having pivotal connection at 28 with a throw rod or lever 29, which is pivoted at 30 (see Figure 3) to a supporting plate 3| mounted on the door 24 beneath the body ill at the proper location. The throw rod or lever 29 has connected thereto, by a pivot 32, a suitably guided striker member 33 for engaging the jamb 23 when the door is closed, thus actuating the rod or lever, against the resistance of a coiled expansion spring 34 housed within the cage 28.

Surrounding the piston 15 is a coiled expansion spring 35 which has contact with a shoulder 35 on the said piston 15 and against the body ID.

Formed within the body Ill is a by-pass duct or passage 31 which is a return lead from the chamber l I to the chamber l2, and in the elbow 38 in this passage is a ball return check valve seat 39, for a ball valve 39. which is held normally to its seat by a tensioned hand release stem 40, which is hand accessible for the working thereof. The passage 31 communicates with an air bleeding valve 4| carried by the body I0. When it is desired to release the locking device, the stem is manually lifted so the pressure within the chamber II will be relieved and the fluid may pass into passage 31 which forms a reservoir. This allows the piston l3 to move back under the action of spring 20 and relieves pressure so that keeper 22 may swing and allow the door to open. When the door is opened, rod 33 is released and pressure is released from springs 34 and 35 so that piston I5 is retracted. This results in drawing the fluid back into the chamber [2. When the door is closed, member 33 actuates lever 29 so as to move piston I5 for forcing the fluid through passage 25 into chamber H and exerting pressure on piston 13 so as to compress spring towards locked position. The piston I5 is a pump ing piston, while the piston I3 is a pressure piston in the working of the locking device.

The spring 34 within the case 26 isa shockspring, while the spring 35 acts to return the piston l5 back to normalcy for the unlocking operation of the device, as should be apparent.

A disk type check valve 42 cagedin a suitable recess communicates with the piston accommodation cylinder and with the intake end of the passage 31. Its purpose is to check any backfiow of liquid that would otherwise collect in the passage 31. whenthe piston I5 movesoutwardly or forwardly.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction withthe invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the features of merit and. novelty sufficient to clarify the constructionzof the invention as here-'- inafter claimed.

Minor changesrln: shape, size, materials and rearrangement of: parts maybe resorted to in actual practiceso long as no departure ismadefrom the invention asclaimed.

What is-claimedis:

1. A locking device-for fitting in a keeperoni a swinging door, comprising a body having spaced piston chambers in' communication with each other, a pressure piston within one chamber, a

pumping piston intthe'other chamber, a spring tensioned locking head on'the pressure piston,

striker meansfor. operating'the pumping piston forthe working off the pressure piston to locking position under fluid pressure from one chamber to the other thereof, a hand operated stem for relieving pressure: on the: pressure piston for the releasing of. thehead fromthe keeper, a by-pass duct connecting with both piston chambers and a. springetensioned valve normally closing said conduit.

2. A locking device for fitting in a keeper on a swinging'door, comprising a body having spaced piston chambers in communication with each other, a pressure piston within one chamber, a pumping piston in the other chamber, a spring tensioned locking head on the pressure piston, striker means for operating the pumping piston for the working of the pressure piston to locking position under fluid pressure from one chamber to the other thereof, and means hand operated for relieving pressure on the pressure piston for the releasingot the head fromthe keeper.

3. A locking 'device for'fitting in a keeper on a swinging door, comprising a body having spaced piston chambers in communication with each otherya pressurepiston within one chamber, a pumping piston in the other chamber, a spring tensioned lo'ckin'g Head On the pressure piston, strikermeans' foroperating the pumping piston for the workingofthe pressure piston to locking position under fluid pressure from one chamber to the other thereof, and means hand operated for relieving pressure on the pressure piston for the releasing of the'head from the keeper includingshock absorbing-meansbetween the pumping piston and striker means.

4. A lockingdevice'for fitting in a'keeper on a swinging door, comprising a body having spaced piston chambers inicommunication with each otherpapressurepiston within one chamber, a pumping piston inthefother chamber, a spring tensio'ned lockinghead on the pressure piston, striker means for operating the-pumping piston for the workingofithe pressure piston to locking position under: fluid pressure from one chamber to the other'thereof, and means hand operated for?relieving;pressure-onthe pressure piston for the releasing. ofthe head from the keeper including shock absorbing means between the pumping REFERENCES CITED The-following referencsare of record in the nicer thispatent: UNITED STAT-ES PATENTS Number Name Date Kaiinr 1,460,609 S0013--- July 3, 1923 1,555,174 Wi11 i8.lfis a- Sept. 29, 1925 1,907,267 RifitlbllSOhL May 2, 1933 

